NPBA preseason considered success

Just about two weeks into its first preseason and the New Providence Basketball Association (NPBA) is getting rave reviews from participating teams.

The weekly games are “whipping” players into shape giving coaches high hopes for this year’s season, which will officially start later this month. The wins in the preseason are expected to be used as confidence boosters for the teams when they take to the court. On Saturday, the Cleaners took care of the Wreckers, defeating them 51-36; while the Commonwealth Bank Giants defeated The College of The Bahamas Caribs 56-45.

Friday night’s action saw the Real Deal Shockers trouncing the PJCS, 52-43. Top scorer in that game was Ishmael Curtis, closing with 13 points for the Shockers. Leading the way for the PJCS was Batcholett LeFluer with 10 points. With the win, the Shockers will now play the Cybots and the PJCS are set to take on the Caribs. Both games will be played today at the A.F. Adderley gym. Wednesday’s game will see the Cleaners and the Giants, while the Pros will face off with the losers of the Cybots/Shockers game.

President of the association Keith ‘Belsie’ Smith said, in an earlier interview, that the preseason was widely accepted by the teams playing in the league. Smith was confident that the teams would take full advantage of the tournament-style preseason makeup, as they all plan to be contenders for this year’s title.

“We’ve been discussing hosting a preseason for a while and finally, the executives and the coaches all believe that a preseason will provide more play for the teams,” said Smith.

“It seems to be an agreeable situation. This is a great way for coaches to (assimilate) players into their system, especially those players (who) have switched teams. In the past, it took players almost a full season trying to adjust to the system that they are now playing. The two weeks should make the transition easier. Teams can use these games to iron out the kinks and coaches can make final decisions.”